Eduard Kokoity, leader of breakaway South Ossetia, said on December 22 he would not seek change of constitution to allow himself run for third term in 2011.

De facto president of the region speaking at a news conference in Moscow said that after expiration of his second term he would "remain in politics to serve the people," a website of the breakaway region's government reported.

"There are many young people in the political elite, who can continue the course, which we have started," Kokoity said.